A/N Thank you once more for the lovely reviews. As always they are very much appreciated. Many thanks to piccolina789 for the beta and helping out with the American medical system, which is (obviously) very different to the British one. :) I'm not a doctor, so any other errors are my own. I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
Grissom was relieved that Clark was just outside the cell. His apprehension about being around Garrett was increasing and he'd feel much better once all this was over.
"I just need to take fingernail scrapings and then we're done," Grissom explained, mentally taking a breath.
He stepped towards Garrett, ignoring the sudden increase in his heart rate as he became aware of a change in Garrett. The tension rolled off him in waves as he tensed like a coiled spring.
Garrett's cold stare darkened as Grissom approached, his nostrils flared and his hands curled into fists.
"You're done," Garrett spoke for the first time since Grissom had entered his cell. "You've taken all the samples and swabs you're gonna take."
"Everything all right, Mr. Grissom?" asked Clark, becoming aware of the tension in the cell. His hand rose, pausing near the butt of his gun as he slowly opened the cell door. Experience and instinct told him that something was not quite right.
"Everything's fine," Grissom said, not taking his eyes from Garrett. He had a feeling that would be a very dangerous thing to do. "I just need a few more samples and then we're done here."
Grissom turned his full attention back to Garrett. He wouldn't allow himself to be intimidated.
"No more than a minute…"
Grissom wasn't sure what happened next, it was only a blur of motion. Garrett lunged at him at the same time Clark shoved him roughly out of the way, his gun drawn. Grissom could hear the sound of running footsteps as several more officers, including Brass, entered the holding cell as Garrett fought viciously back at Clark.
Grissom picked himself up off the ground, rubbing his left shoulder as Brass approached him.
"Sara asked me to check on you, she was pretty worried about how Garrett was acting around you," Brass said. "I guess I arrived just in time."
Brass looked over at Garrett, now finally restrained. A few officers were nursing a few cuts and bruises, but were otherwise okay. Brass sighed.
"This could have been so much messier," he stated. "What the hell happened, Gil?"
"I have no idea," replied Grissom, a little shaken as he picked up his kit before he and Brass exited the cell. "I was about to take some scrapings from him and then everything happened at once."
Sara was waiting just outside for them, looking extremely worried. Her relief on seeing he was unharmed was evident, and it made Grissom catch his breath and made his stomach twinge.
Her eyes searched his face, still feeling worried, as she fought the urge to hug him.
"I'm fine," he assured her gently, answering her unspoken question.
He closed the gap between them, his free hand grabbing hers, and gave her an affirming squeeze before quickly letting go. He turned back to where the whole thing happened, relieved that it was all over. He could only hope that another encounter with Mike Garrett wasn't forthcoming any time soon.
Just shortly after 1.15 pm the following afternoon, Grissom made his way down to the kitchenette, where Sara was busy making them both breakfast.
Grissom came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close as he kissed her neck.
"Hi, beautiful," he whispered, his breath and beard tickling her skin.
She smiled as she turned around in his arms, draping her arms languidly around his neck. His hair was still damp from the shower he'd just had, and she leaned in to kiss him.
He hummed as he tightened his hold on her slightly, before drawing back.
"Are you sure you still want to come?" Sara asked, also drawing back slightly. "You've not had as much sleep as I have, since I have a very understanding boss, who insisted I only work half a shift."
The day marked Sara's first appointment with her OBGYN, and the chance to see their baby for the first time.
Grissom grinned before giving her a quick kiss.
"Honey, I'll be fine. I wouldn't miss it for anything. Understanding boss, huh?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "He sounds like quite a guy. Should I be jealous?"
Sara's grinned widened.
"Oh no, you're way more attractive."
At the Desert Palm Medical Center, Grissom and Sara sat in Dr. Dana Sand's office, going through various questions and forms.
Everything was going well until Dana looked up from writing up her notes and saw the look of concern pass between Gil and Sara.
"Is there something on your mind, Sara?" the doctor asked with a reassuring smile. "If you have any concerns at all, I'm here to help in any way I can."
With another shared look of concern, Sara explained, "There is a history of hearing loss in Gil's family."
"My mother has otosclerosis," Grissom added. "She went deaf when she was eight. A few years ago I started developing symptoms. I had a successful stapedectomy."
"I see," replied Dana putting down her pen. "And you're worried that it may be passed on to the baby? Is there any similar history in your family Sara?"
Sara shook her head.
"No, but we wondered if we could know about any potential hearing loss before the baby is born?"
Dana shook her head.
"I'm afraid that it isn't something that can be tested before birth," she said. "Usually the baby would receive a hearing-screening test before you go home from the hospital. I'll make note of your concerns, and they'll conduct that hearing screening as soon as they can after the birth, and give you both pace of mind. I want to assure you though, that although there is a history of genetic hearing loss in your family, Gil, there is none in Sara's, so there is a good chance that your baby will be fine. Is there anything else that you have concerns about?"
Grissom and Sara both shook their heads.
"Okay Sara, I think we're all done, regarding the paperwork," the doctor said. "Now we'll get to the exciting part of the appointment...introducing you to your baby."
The doctor took them through into another room, where various medical equipment was set up. A examination couch sat in the middle of the room, with a chair next to it that faced the screen on the monitor.
"Okay, Sara if you'd like to hop up onto the couch and lift up your blouse slightly we can begin. Dad, you can take the chair there."
Sara did as she was asked, settling back onto the couch as Grissom took her hand in his.
"Right then, this gel can be a little cold, so I apologise," Dana continued as she squirted the gel on Sara's stomach.
She hissed slightly as the cold gel made her flinch. Dana smiled as she moved the transducer expertly over Sara's stomach, finding the baby within a few minutes.
"And there is your little one," Dana said, her eyes still locked on the monitor's image.
Grissom couldn't take his eyes from the monitor and the tiny, grainy, grey image. Apart from Sara's physical symptoms, the pregnancy hadn't seemed real. Now he was faced with the reality as he watched the tiny image of their son or daughter wriggle and squirm on the monitor before him for the first time.
Our son or daughter, he thought to himself. The very thought brought a wave of overpowering emotions that he hadn't expected. His grip tightened on Sara's hand as he glanced in her direction, knowing she shared the same feelings.
Dana turned to them with a smile.
"Everything is looking good," she informed them. "Would you like to hear the heartbeat?"
When Grissom and Sara both nodded, Dana pressed a few buttons and a rapid swoosh swoosh filled the room.
Sara glanced quickly at Grissom, gracing him with the full Sidle smile.
"One-hundred-seventy-five beats per minute," Dana noted, as she continued to take measurements. "That's very good. From the information, I can tell you that you're nine weeks along, and the little one is due August seventeenth."
Sara glanced at Grissom, her smile growing wider.
"Well that's one birthday present you weren't quite expecting."
"Honey, it's the best birthday present I could ever have," he said kissing the palm of her hand, his grin matching hers.